Award details

Develop and apply molecular methods for sensitive monitoring of specific strains of bacteria, including GMOs, in field soils

Reference	BBS/E/C/00031471
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Penny Hirsch
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	36,460
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/12/1998
Duration	21 months

Abstract

Details should only be considered in the context of PU information. Most soils contain at least 100 million bacteria per g, and it has been estimated that an almost infinite number of different species are present. However, only a minority of these can be cultured, and novel approaches are needed to study the genetic diversity of soil bacterial populations, and to monitor the numbers of bacteria present at relatively low levels. The latter problem is of particular relevance to the application of microbial inoculants applied to soil or seeds, to improve plant growth or act as biocontrol agents. Development of methods is also essential for monitoring inoculants improved by genetic modification (GMOs), to assess both persistence and spread from the site of inoculation. Another aspect of soil microbial populations important when assessing the biosafety of GMOs is that little is known about the mechanisms responsible for gene transfer in their natural environment. Studies of the genetic composition of soil microbial populations indicates that gene exchange does occur, but with no indication of the frequency of such events. In the laboratory, transfer of bacterial genetic elements such as insertion elements, mediated by plasmids or bacteriophages, can be demonstrated, but it is not clear how such observations relate to behaviour in the field. The project involves developing and assessing novel methods for monitoring genes in soil bacteria without relying on laboratory culture. To achieve this, genetically modified rhizobia containing selectable, detectable marker genes have been introduced into field soil to provide distinct populations which can be monitored by both conventional and DNA-based methods. The marker genes as well as the organisms can be followed, and studied in conjunction with an analysis of genetic elements (plasmids, bacteriophages, insertion elements) in relevant components of the field population.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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